60th Diamond Jubilee Party

The biggest social event in Sydney this year.

Time to put away the sailing clothes and put on the smart clothes or a frock, to celebrate an important milestone for the club: the upcoming 60th Diamond Jubilee Party, Saturday, 7 May 2016.

To make it a success, please RSVP and pay for via the following link by this Saturday, 23 April 2016 (:  https://www.trybooking.com/193224 if you've not already done so.

Since we are powered 100% by volunteers, we are unable to accept cash payments on the night! 

This party is sure to be yet another glorious occasion in the annals of the Double Bay Sailing Club.

For those who need some fashion inspiration for our gala event, here are some ideas from SFW 2016 which was attended by one of our regular correspondent members.

2nd leg of Rolex Vaucluse Challenge (RVC) this Saturday

The People's Prince and the Master & Commander of fleet from the French enclave of Vaucluse, Monsieur Tinker-bell, have confirmed the protocols for this year's edition of the Rolex Vaucluse Challenge.

As in years past, DBSC did well in the first leg sailed on our home waters. Very well. But its a war of two battles and the 2nd leg is on at 2pm on Saturday.  This time the racing will be conducted by VYC while the presentation and culinary extravagance will be at DBSC.  There will be one long race.

It is extremely important that as many DBSC sailors race as possible, and that everyone is rigged BEFORE the race briefing at 1pm for an explanation of the course and some tactical tips by some of our sailing gurus.

A strong southerly is forecast to deliver us promptly to the start line, so splash will be about 1.20pm ish.  VYC normally start full rigs first. 

YA Insurance Programme

3rd party insurance is a requirement of sailing with DBSC.  Many sailors "self insure" their own boat, but you need coverage in case you happen to hit and sink the latest carbon fibre mini-maxi.

YA have created a special third party insurance deal that DBSC recommends to all its other members, the NSW Laser community and the rock stars who frequently crash our race program.

In non-PDS speak, here are the deals:

• $50 per annum for $10m of liability cover only; or,
• $200 per annum for $10k boat cover and $10m liability cover.

But that is not all....each time a DBSC member signs up, the club gets $10.00.  Not a lot but it is better the club gets the commission than some greedy insurance broker.  We've banked two sets of commissions and here's proof:

Speaking on behalf of NSW Laser community, the People's Prince commented:

"Once the Penguin is healed and back on the water, every Laser sailor can go out safely in the knowledge when the inevitable collision with occurs, that you are covered for serious damage.  This development will help grow the sport, and encourage more kiddies to participate"

Here are the links:

 http://www.ynswinsurance.com/c2/

https://autocover.nautilusinsurance.com.au/html/covertermsconditions.cfm?siteStyle=NSW

Organisational change.........

Double Bay, Australia - May 22, 2015: DBSC today announced the appointment of Clare Alexander as the Honorary Secretary of the Politburo (previously known by the sexist moniker ManCo).

Speaking at the international press conference following the organisation's annual general meeting, the People's Prince elaborated:

"Clare who is the Co-Founder and current CEO of Team Alexander has a successful track record in delivering sailing outcomes at all levels in the sport.  Her organisational abilities became apparent soon after she joined the club.  While my gender makes it impossible for me to partake in multi-tasking, I can appreciate those who do, and I am in awe of Clare's exceptional demonstration of that skill.  We look forward to her  contribution to the club."

Later in the evening, the outgoing Secretary, whose name we have already forgotten, said:

"I’m resigning as Secretary, but not from the volunteering on the website and newsletter, at least until our indemnity insurers ban me.  This is the ideal situation with Madame Secretary and I sharing what used to be one job, and my job doesn't need me to attend the meetings.  Any snippets for the newsletter or suggested improvements to the website should be sent to webmaster@dbsc.com.au. 

Clubman of the Year & AGM recap

Congratulations to Paul Adam, Canteen Crew Captain on winning the big prize.  Under Paul's ever vigilant management, the canteen not only fed the hoards, but generated at $11k surplus for DBSC this year.  Additionally, Paul performed on shore safety services and assisted in rescues too.  Generous as alway, Paul acknowledged the regular crew members who were necessary to make the canteen the success that it is: Andrea, Shirley, Deb and Carolyn.

The AGM itself was a wonderful celebration of the season past. In 45 minutes we held the Presentations for Lasers and Big Boats, heard reports from each of the executive (abridged version; all's well and finances are sound), shared accolades and applause for Paul Adam and an held an election that followed the exact format of the minutes prepared in advance! 

We all then retired to enjoy dinner and drinks thanks to Paul, Deb and Shirley, with cameo help from many others. 

Thanks to all those that came and helped. 

Friday's AGM to determine major policy

It appears that a DBSC member has been temporarily suspended as a member of Royal Sydney Golf Club: see news item.

While we believe that melanoma is a serious issue in Australia, we don't agree with the way RSGC has addressed the issue.  Also, vitamin D deficiency is becoming more common and that needs to be  addressed.  There is also the social preference of encouraging the loved ones and least hostile acquaintances of members to use the club while members are competing in their chosen sport.

To that end the club's Politburo (previously known by the sexist moniker, ManCo) has proposed to authorise European-style sunbathing on the DBSC deck, subject to certain conditions.  Ozzy is to draft a disclaimer form to cover the risk of over-exposure to the sun and  Troublemaker is to get our insurers to approve the form for public liability purposes.  Once in place, we will consider how spot checks of the prescribed levels of sunscreen will be carried out without over-burdening our superbly efficient Canteen Crew.

The policy will also apply to those associated with the 18s who visit the club on Sundays.

Any objections to the new policy can be raised at the AGM this week.  Due to the importance of the issue, we are still considering whether acceptance of the new policy will require 75% of those members present to vote in favour of it, or whether rejection will require 75% to vote against it. 

Regardless, please help with the AGM catering by RSVP'ing at: http://doodle.com/gy6dtei2bv9tp9c4m3u5i9gm/private

By clicking on this link on your Aldi tablet, you can see how democracy worked in 2014.

Editors Note: Double Bay is the leading sailing club in western Sydney.  We represent a wide range of  demographics, and are the only club in Sydney to have a policy welcoming absolutely everyone (except d**kheads), including LGBTs, vegetarians, rangas and those with a BMI over 25.

RYCT Governor’s Cup awarded to Roger Hickman

Hobart, Tasmania - 09 May 2015: RYCT announced Roger Hickman, owner/skipper of Wild Rose, the overall winner of the 70th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, last night received the Governor’s Cup, the most prestigious perpetual trophy awarded each year by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.

A Tasmanian by birth and a long time member of the RYCT, but now based in Sydney, Hickman flew down to Hobart to accept the trophy from Commodore Richard Batt at the club’s annual prizegiving dinner.

Speaking from the podium after accepting the trophy, R2H, shared with the audience:

"I love Tasmania.  I will keep coming back in the S2H as long as I can because the race is one of the three best sailing competitions in the world, the other two being the Olympic Laser competition and the Manos Roussos Trophy.

I also see the the S2H as a community service and giving back to a sport that has given me so much pleasure.  Not everyone can sail a proper boat, by that I mean steer a Laser.  So if I can give those less fortunate the joy of sitting on the weather rail for a few days of pseudo sailing each year, I will.

My next challenge is to time manage the community service stuff with the DBSC Spring Pointscore thus giving me enough training to be in the running for the Manos Rouses Trophy. "   

Better communications

Three general announcements:

• we are trialling Doodle over the winter to coordinate impromptu sailing and other events.
• on Sunday, May 17 from 11am, the clubhouse will be used for the function, so please avoid using the clubhouse
• please RSVP for the AGM at: http://doodle.com/gy6dtei2bv9tp9c4m3u5i9gm/private

Now for an issue that comes up regularly this time of the year, and we can use as bonding opportunity.

In winter a number of newer members want to sail but have problems moving boats from their upper east side and upper west side penthouses.  Historically, they have approached  committee people to try to arrange a temporary re-shuffle but with every rack filled at the end of last season, it is a logistical nightmare.

In order to build some cohesion amongst the newer and the older members by encouraging communications: directly, and not through the Secretary or Commodore (who know the new members), new members should feel free to approach directly lower racked members for a temporary re-shuffle.  Most older members are more than happy to oblige when approached directly - and they get to meet/talk to a new members! Dear Leader does this most years when he vacates the ground floor while he is vacationing in the Hamptons, or St Tropez or Monaco.

Having a look at boats covered in dust and our noticeboard is the best starting point for newer members, but I would be happy to provide phone numbers/emails to facilitate any of the communications.  If you don't mind your boat being temporarily raised, please put a notice on the noticeboard too.

PS:  About 5 boats have already been temporarily moved so pay close attention to the rack plan on the noticeboard and what is in the racks.

PPS: Temporary re-shuffles need the agreement of the all members involved and boats should not just be slotted arbitrarily in "vacant" spots.

PPPS:  Permanent re-shuffles remain at the absolute discretion of the Commodore who will speak to the members who are moving up. 

Anyone sailing on Saturday....

....or on Sunday, or mid week, etc, etc????

These are questions that are often asked during the winter break (May to July inclusively).

Now in order to facilitate training and recreational sailing for members during the break, we are adopting, as a trail, modern Software as a Service (SaaS) called doodle.

DO NOT get concerned if you receive something from doodle.  Read the instructions and help us give it a go on scheduling the impromptu sailing.  Even if you RSVP no, it will be a worthwhile experience.

If it becomes all too much, then there is always the option of opting out of doodle.

Peter Collie is running the trial: social@dbsc.com.au

Membership

If you have already paid your fees, thank you.

If you were a member last year and have not yet received an email with fee details, please complete this form and we will send you the fee amount and banking details.

If you have received an email and haven't paid your fees, this is a gentle reminder that our financial year started on May 1 and we decided at the AGM two years ago to make payment due at the start of the fiscal year rather than the start of the sailing year in August, and do introduce the change ever the tow years.  The reason is that we want to do as much maintenance and procurement before the sailing starts for everyone.  Leaves the committee members to enjoy the sailing rather than working or doing admin in the Spring.

If you have already paid your fees and you need some tax deductions, see this opportunity.